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Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2018

Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Questions (472, 473)

John Curran

Question:

472. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the targets for Dublin Bus to reduce emissions by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29254/18]

View answer

John Curran

Question:

473. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of green energy buses that have been introduced to the Bus Éireann bus fleet to date; the targets for moving to low emission vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29255/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 472 and 473 together.

Specific emissions reductions targets for neither the Dublin Bus nor Bus Eireann fleets to 2020 have been set.

As the Deputy is aware, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) estimate that only about 3% of all transport-derived CO2 emissions come from the national bus and coach fleets. Converting the public transport bus fleets to low-carbon alternatives would have a very limited mitigation impact on Ireland's overall CO2 emissions profile and on our emissions targets for 2020. However, transitioning the national bus fleet away from fossil fuels is nonetheless an important measure to allow Government to show leadership in this area, which will normalise and promote the uptake by the public of alternative fuels and technologies.

As the Deputy is aware, under the National Development Plan (2018) we have committed that, from July 2019 onwards, we will no longer buy diesel-only buses for the urban public bus fleet; and work is already underway on preparing for implementation of this.

Given the limited CO2 mitigation potential of converting the bus fleet to alternative fuels/technologies the influence of pollutants on air quality has been considered significant. In recent years all new diesel bus purchases in Ireland have been required to meet the Euro VI engine emissions standard, which regulates the amount of dangerous pollutants such as NOx and particulate matter (PM) that is permitted from diesel engines. These cleaner Euro VI buses represented a very significant improvement in emission reductions when compared with the older vehicles that they replaced and had significant co-benefits for our air quality. Efforts to ‘green’ the fleet will continue and undoubtedly older, more polluting buses will be the first to be replaced with lower-emission vehicles.

Noting its responsibility with regards to this matter, I have referred the Deputy's queries to the NTA for consideration and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
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